Lander, Wyoming,
is home to probably the best sport climbing in the state, with
Sinks Canyon State Park
just northeast of town, and the Wild Iris about 25 miles south. The
Wind River Range, to the east, also provides excellent climbing with
Gannett Peak and Cirque of the Towers.

This shot of the "Entering Sinks Canyon State Park" sign also shows the
Killer Cave area up on the north main wall. Climbing here is hard, with most climbs
going stiff
5.10 and up.

Sinks Canyon gets its name from an amazing natural phenomenon whereby the
middle fork of the Popo Agie River actually dissapears underground for about a quarter
mile, and then reappears at The Rise of the Sinks, seen in the picture below.

This State Parks sign, located at the rise, gives more detail about the
canyon and its history.

* Watch out for snakes *

Here, my son Steven, takes a leap in the Dino Competition during the
2002 International climbers Festival.

The Wild Iris, as with Sinks Canyon, hosts some extremely strenuous sport
routes. However, in this picture taken by my son, I was feeling a little out of place
without a crack to jam, and chose a classic but moderate
5.9+ called "Annie Git Yer
Drill", in the OK Corral area, for my introduction to sport climbing. Afterwards,
feeling a little too sure of myself, I proceeded to jump on another
5.9+ called
"You Picked a Fine Time To Lead Me Lucille" on the Five.Ten Wall, and got my butt
kicked. Fortunately for me though, my partner, Suzy, was able to finish the route and
retrieve the quickdraw I lowered down from.

This band was an unusual bit of entertainment as they played for the
climbers at the Wild Iris Five.Ten Wall Saturday afternoon, also during the 2002 ICF.